The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902 Page: 5
370 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Escape of Rose from the Alamo. 5
He could not have escaped the vigilance of the Mexican guards
earlier than about midnight, as they were on strict watch for men
from the Alamo. But suppose he left about midnight following
the 3d. Then he would have, at most, three days in which to ride
to Washington, where he arrived on the morning of the 6th. The
distance from San Antonio to Washington was one hundred and
eighty miles, and to cover this distance in three days would have
required him to go sixty miles per day; but he could not have
ridden at that rate during three successive days, without great
danger of breaking down his horse. Suppose, however, that he
left soon after midnight on the morning of the 3d. This would
give him four days in which to ride the one hundred and eighty
miles; that is, forty-five miles per day, which is reasonable. So
I opine that Smith certainly left before the delivery of Travis's
speech.1
I have now to refer to a striking instance of interpolation in a
history by an officious publisher or printer. I have no doubt that
the historian Thrall was a truthful and conscientious gentleman,
but evidently he sometimes relied too much upon his memory in
stating historical facts; and his publisher or printer added to his
mistakes. This is demonstrated in a passage, in which it is said:
"Travis now despaired of succor; and, according to an account
published in 1860, by a Mr. Rose, announced to his companions
their desperate situation. After declaring his determination to sell
his life as dearly as possible, and drawing a line with his sword,
Travis exhorted all who were willing to fight with him to form on
the line. With one exception, all fell into the ranks; and even
Bowie, who was dying with the consumption, had his cot carried
to the line. The man who declined to enter the ranks that night
made his escape. [This tale is incredible, since he reported large
pools of blood in the ditch, close to the wall, when no Mexican had
then approached within rifle shot.]"2
This passage is evidently the work of more than one writer.
Had its authors intended to embrace as many errors as possible
'In the letter carried by Smith Travis says, "Col. J. B. Bonham * * *
got in this morning at eleven o'clock." See Foote's Texas and the Texans,
II, 220.-EDITOR QUARTERLY.'Thrall's History of Texas, p. 242.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902, periodical, 1902; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101021/m1/11/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.